Connecticut western news., 1887-09-28
BILLY'S RELAPSE.

Two little girls stood at the foot of the stairs leading to the elevated railway station at Canal street at o'clock F. M. They were dressed exactly alike in white dresses with blue sashes tied around their waists. They were waiting for papa. Train after train stopped at the station and steady stream of home ward-bound feet came pattering down the stairs. A big, portly man, who had stopped at the station to light cigar, looked at the children-for they were very winsome and said:
 'Are you waiting for somebody, little girls2"
 ''Yes, sir" replied the eldest eagerly. ''Me an Beulah is waiting for papa. He always comes at 6 o'clock. We come to meet him every night, and d--''
 "He's going to bring me gra' big peach an two Jackson balls, ain't he, Hattie?" interrupted the smallest child, her blue eyes opening and her lips part ing with pleasureable anticipation. Maybe he failed off the big bridge. Did he2"
 The golden head began to droop and the little lips to tremble. The big man smiled and said:
 "Oh, no, guess not. He'll be along very soon." Then he took from his pocket handful of loose change, gave the children each cent, lifted them successively to a level with his bearded chin, and kissed them. Then he re- sumed bis cigar and his homeward way. The clock in a jewelry store near by ticked off fifteen more weary minutes, but the familiar face came not. A bare headed woman ran quickly around the corner.
 ''Hasn't your father come yet, girlsg' said she cautiously.
 "No'm, he ain't. En hain got my beach," replied Beulah.
 ''Well, never mind. Perhaps he'll come on the horse cars"
 With many lingering looks at the rail- way station the children were led away up the street. The teapot was simmered on the oil stove and the supper table was waiting when they arrived at the flat. Hunger made the children forget the absent father for the time. Beulah was placed in the high chair and Mrs. aI &o | I. loaf
 'I want peaches first" said Beulal impatiently.
 "No, no, my child Bread and milk comes first, and peaches last," said the mother.
 'T don't like bread and milk; it's nasty" said the child, drumming i'm patiently on her plate with spoon.
 '1 shall have to put my little girl te bed without her supper if she does not behave herself"
 Beulah sulked awhile. Then evidently making up her mind to get through { disagreeable job quickly, she stopped chewing on her thumb and began show cling the bread and milk so rapidly into her mouth that she began to choke Mrs. Rogers slapped her on the back be tween the shoulders and piece of crus flew out of the child's mouth half way across the room The absence of tho | father was forgotten ia the excitemena | of the moment. Beulah was snatcheo from her chair in twinkling and pressed to her mothers breast. When the dan ger was over and the clouds were clear ing away Beulah stammered out betweel her staccato sobs:
 "Ma-ma-l-l-1-w want mn. peachesw e-
 Beulah was ladled out i larger shar of the peaches than she was entitled to but before she had eaten half the frui her head began to droop like violet a sunset. Hattie undressed herself anC put on her nightgown, of which achieve ment she was very proud, while Beulal lay in sorrows haven and was rocked int dreamland, while Mrs Rogers sang little song, keeping time with the swim of the rocking chair, to the effect tha MT. Rogers was shaking a dreamlan tree. Even while she sang Mrs. Roger wondered drearily whether her husban, was not engaged in some more importan business. Perhaps he had been run owe by the cars, perhaps he had been sun struck. But then, she thought, wh should I worry? He has been de tained at the store, most likely and will be home in little whllt
 Despite her attempt at cheerfulnes Mrs. Rogers trembled as she tucked tn blankets around her children, and teal drop fell upon Bcuah's rounded cheek which made the child stir uneasily. Tn teapot was pouring out a steaming pro test against being left so long on th stove when Mrs. Rogers returned to tn kitchen, so she took the pot off the stov' After the dirty dishes had been washe Mrs. Rogers set the table for two, cut Il some more peaches, and began her viz at the window waiting for her husband She had often told him, jokingly, tn; she could hear his footsteps two block away and he had made a laughing denia : But tonight it seemed to her that Il
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